Join Janice D’Arcy, journalist and mother of two, in exploring how we raise our children today. Janice will write about the news, ideas, trends, people and opinions shaping our experience as parents. Read more about Janice here.

Michael Gardner was the former chairman of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee and is the husband of current councilwoman. He also molested at least two girls at his daughter’s birthday party. How can parents keep kids safe at events where they assume children won’t be in danger?

An front-page editorial in the Sioux City Journal was published in response to the recent suicide of a 14-year-old local boy who had been bullied. It ran just as “Bully” opened in theaters, a movie which happens to feature Sioux City.

Salecia Johnson had what sounds to be a torrential tantrum at school. She apparently threw books and toys and threw a shelf that hit her principal in the leg, says the Associated Press. A school official called the police. Yes, the police.

Trayvon Martin’s death has triggered some wrenching commentary from parents who say that to raise a minority in this country, particularly an African American boy, is to live with the understanding that the child will be arbitrarily mistreated.